Town departments to undergo reviews

Patrick Larkin, the principal of Burlington High School, has been recognized for his work to integrate new technologies into education. The National Association of Secondary School Principals selected Larkin as one of three 2012 recipients of its new Digital Principal Award. The professional organization will present the award to Larkin and the two other recipients at its annual Breaking Ranks K-12 Conference in Tampa March 9. The award, which will be presented annually starting this year, honors principals who “exhibit bold, creative leadership in their drive to harness the potential of new technologies to further learning goals,” according to the association. The group cited Larkin’s work in cofounding the Connected Principals blog, a group site that promotes discussion among school administrators on topics of common interest, a related Twitter feed, as well as his role through the EdCamp program in helping organize local conferences of school principals on using digital tools. It also noted the initiative Larkin introduced to provide all students at the high school with iPads, and the regular Parent Tech Nights he holds to help families work with their children to use online tools constructively. -John Laidler